I Can Change, I Can Change.

The Republicans are trying to one-up the Democrats and are repackaging themselves as the 'reform' party.

Yes, they have made a mess, but they're man enough to pretend to clean it up!

Reading all of this, I am reminded of the relationship between Satan and Saddam Hussein in the 'South Park' movie. Satan (the American people... no, not comparing us to Satan, but that's the character we play in this example) is basically a nice, trusting guy. Saddam (the Republican Congress) is a selfish egomaniac who seems only to want to screw Satan. Occassionally realizing this, Satan tries to end this damaging relationship. But Saddam needs the relationship and so whenever it's endangered, he bursts into a song-and-dance-routine in which he proclaims "I can learn to keep my promises, I swear it! I'll open up my heart and I will share it! Any minute now I will be born again! Yes I can change, I can change!!!". That is where we are now. And much like the weak-willed Satan, I expect the American people will buy it and take back their selfish partner. God only knows what it would take for the American people to get fed up enough to toss the current leaders in Congress down a fiery pit.

So let's see where we stand in this song-and-dance routine now...

One Republican who wants to lead the way for reform is Sen. Rick Santorum, probably best known for his negative remarks about homosexuality and his recent flip-flop on intelligent design. Santorum has been tapped by fellow Senate Republican leaders to draft legislation tightening restrictions on lobbyists. Of course, as noted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he "has received more money from lobbyists than any other congressional candidate so far in the 2006 election cycle". In addition, he was a major player in the 'K Street Project', (a project "by the Republican Party to pressure Washington lobbying firms to hire Republicans in top positions, and to reward loyal GOP lobbyists with access to influential officials") best known now for key players Tom Delay and Jack Abramoff.

Sen. Santorum is trying to downplay the group. From Talking Points Memo, here is what Santorum said-

QUESTION: Senator Santorum, you have been the Senate's liaison for the so-called K Street projects. It's been reported you hosted monthly meetings with lobbyists, the top lobbyists in town. What makes you the correct person to lead this charge to reform?

SANTORUM: Well, I don't know what you mean by Senate liaison to the, quote, "K Street Project." I'm not aware of any Senate liaison job that I do for the K Street Project.

What I've done is I do host meetings, you know, once or twice a month with members who represent a variety of different groups in Washington, D.C.

And here's what he said this past November-

"The K Street project is purely to make sure we have qualified applicants for positions that are in town," Mr. Santorum said. "From my perspective, it's a good government thing."

Think Progress also has a look at Santorum and K-Street:
-Santorum’s Amnesia On Abramoff And K Street
-Santorum’s K Street Whitewash

But what about the reform bills the Republicans are working on? That's good, right? The Washington Post takes a look:
Loophole in Lobbying Bill Leaves Wiggle Room

...According to lobbyists and ethics experts, even if Hastert's proposal is enacted, members of Congress and their staffs could still travel the world on an interest group's expense and eat steak on a lobbyist's account at the priciest restaurants in Washington.

The only requirement would be that whenever a lobbyist pays the bill, he or she must also hand the lawmaker a campaign contribution. Then the transaction would be perfectly okay.

"That's a big hole if they don't address campaign finance," said Joel Jankowsky, the lobbying chief of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, one of the capital's largest lobbying outfits...

Loopholes! You tricky, tricky little Congress, you! I can change, I can change...


Meanwhile, at the White House...
White House Silent on Abramoff Meetings (AP)

The White House is refusing to reveal details of tainted lobbyist Jack Abramoff's visits with President Bush's staff.

Abramoff had "a few staff-level meetings" at the Bush White House, presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said Tuesday. But he would not say with whom Abramoff met, which interests he was representing or how he got access to the White House...

Nothing to see here, move along, move along. Just a huge pileup, minor accident, keep moving folks...